Phiri dismisses CDF, MEDF delays

Local Government Minister Ben Phiri has dismissed reports that understaffed councils are delaying the implementation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects and the processing of Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF) loans.

Phiri told Parliament on Tuesday that councils have procurement and project implementation plans in place and that the processes are progressing smoothly.

His response follows concerns from Mchinji South MP Owen Malijani, who said communities are waiting for CDF projects and MEDF loans while councils are reportedly struggling to process contractors and beneficiary groups.

Malijani said the delays could be linked to councils being understaffed or underfunded, despite government indicating that the funds are ready.

But Phiri dismissed the reports as speculation, saying the ministry is monitoring the implementation process.

“The only reliable source of information comes from the minister, and here is one,” Phiri said.

He said councils including Zomba and Chitipa are close to awarding contracts, while Lilongwe District Council has already opened bid documents and is also approaching the awarding stage.

Phiri said the 20 percent mobilisation fee for contractors who secure CDF contracts has already been deposited with the National Local Government Finance Committee, allowing construction to start once procurement is completed.

On staffing concerns, he said the situation has improved over the past nine months, with all council directorates now filled by qualified personnel.

He said government has also posted qualified engineers and chief procurement officers to all councils across the country to strengthen the implementation of CDF projects.

Phiri added that government has approved further recruitment to strengthen councils, while the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Youth are engaging MEDF over its requirements for processing loans to youth and women’s groups.